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About the author

Erika Pignatti’s main research interest is phytosociology. Among her various publications are those on the vegetation of the Austrian Alpines and the Mediterranean type vegetation in Australia and Chile. Sandro Pignatti is the author of the famous Flora d’Italia, a botany standard work. The data presented in “Plant life of the Dolomites” is based on the authors’ combined botanical research, which consists of thousands of surveys throughout the entire region of the Dolomites.

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The landscape and vegetation of the Dolomites have characteristics that are very particular. Some 2300 species live here, about a fifth of the flora in Europe as a whole. This book depicts what the plant cover of the Dolomites is composed of, how it was formed, and what future evolution may bring. The data presented is based on the authors’ combined botanical research, which consists of thousands of surveys throughout the entire region of the Dolomites.

To explain the vegetation, 106 plant communities are described in detailed datasheets. Biological, geological, climatic and physical-chemical parameters are given for each plant community, including a description of the habitat, the indicator species, the floristic composition, distribution, conservation, and alteration risks, as well as a distribution map and a photo of the association. The associations are grouped into habitats, such as the human habitat, natural forests and meadows on the valley floor, the coniferous forest belt, screes, alpine vegetation on granite, porphyry, and volcanic rock, as well as on dolomite and limestones. In closing, the authors make a case for using the scientific information provided in the book for the conservation of the Dolomites, the heritage of all humanity.

Additional in-depth analysis will be presented in the supplementary volumes “Plant Life of the Dolomites: Vegetation Tables” and “Plant Life of the Dolomites: Atlas of Flora.”

The Human Habitat.- Natural Forests and Meadows on the Valley Floor and in the Montane Habitat.- The Subalpine Habitat: The Coniferous Forest Belt.- Alpine Vegetation on Granite, Porphyry, and Volcanic Rock.- The Ascent toward the Cliffs: The Screes.- Alpine Vegetation on Dolomite and Limestones.- Synthesis, Data Interpretation and Statistical Calculations.- Conclusions.- Appendix: The Plant Associations of the Dolomites in the Traditional Phytosociological Classification.- Glossary.

In the press

From the book reviews:

“This book aims to be more than simply a phytosociological description of the vegetation of the Dolomites. … Each habitat chapter begins with a general introduction, including highly detailed descriptions with excellent illustrations, of the ecological and environmental conditions associated with that habitat. … Each vegetation description, and indeed each chapter, is illustrated with excellent photographs and distribution maps, and overall the book is a beautiful object … . it is simply a lovely book.” (Rob Brooker, Mountain Research and Development (MRD), Vol. 35 (1), February, 2015)

“The book represents an extraordinary wealth ofinformation. The layout with numerous beautiful colour photographs, instructivetables, maps, diagrams and flow charts … is not only nice but also makes theinformation easily accessible and comparable. … The book is the firstcomprehensive modern vegetation overview of a larger region, both within Italyand for the Alps in general, and hopefully will inspire others to follow thispioneer work.” (Jürgen Dengler, Bulletin of the European Dry Grassland Group,Issue 24-25, November, 2014)

“The amount of information held here is absolutely colossal, written by enthusiasts who know the area well. Whether you’re interested in individual plant species, or in seeing how the communities fit within the wider landscape, there will be something here for you. The love of the area comes through in the writing and there are even three suggested itineraries ‘for getting to know the flora of the Dolomites’. A wonderful book to become lost in.” (Peter Thomas, The Bulletin, Vol. 45, August, 2014)